THE ORDER OF THE MASS & OUR RESPONSES

1. Introductory Rites
*Entrance: Make an effort to sing even though you may not enjoy singing. If you are unable to sing , follow the words of the song
and reflect on how they challenge you to change or comfort you. Our singing together helps to form us into one assembly that together
gives thanks & praise to God.
*Greeting
Priest: in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Assembly: [Make the Sign of the Cross] Amen.
Form A
Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Assembly: And with your spirit.
Form B
Priest: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Assembly: And with your spirit.
Form C Note: During Easter we use the Sprinkling
Priest: The Lord be with you. (Bishop: Peace be with you.)
Rite in place of the Penitential Act.
Assembly: And with your spirit.
*Penitential Act: During this time, make an effort to recall moments when your thoughts, words and/or actions might
have kept you or you prevented someone else from being the person God created you/them to be. Identify a specific
word, thought, or action that created an obstacle between you and God and ask for forgiveness.
Form A (Confiteor) (Though it may be used at any time, at St. Luke we use this form during Advent & Lent.)
All: I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in
what I have done and in what I have failed to do, [all strike their breast] through my fault, through my fault, through my most
grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me
to the Lord our God.
Form B (Though it may be used at any time, at St. Luke we use this form during Ordinary Time.)
Priest: Have mercy on us, O Lord.
Assembly: For we have sinned against you. * Form C: Note that other “tropes” (the
Priest: Show us, O Lord, your mercy. words of the priest or deacon) can be used.
Assembly: And grant us your salvation.
Form C (Though is may be used at any time, at St. Luke we use this form during Christmas & Special Celebrations)
*Priest: You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have mercy.
Assembly: Lord, have mercy.
*Priest: You came to call sinners: Christ have mercy.
Assembly: Christ have mercy.
*Priest: You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord, have mercy.
Assembly: Lord have mercy.

This portion is the same for all 3 Penitential Acts

Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
Assembly: Amen.
The “Kyrie” (Lord, Have Mercy) [the act or process of petitioning for help or support] follows, unless Form C is used.
Minister: Lord, have mercy.
Assembly: Lord, have mercy.
Minister: Christ, have mercy.
Assembly: Christ, have mercy.
Minister: Lord, have mercy. Gloria: Set everything aside during this time for a
Assembly: Lord, have mercy. moment, and praise God for something specific (His
guidance, mercy, wisdom, etc.)
*Gloria (or Glory to God - omitted during Advent and Lent)
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the
world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone
are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
*Collect: At this time the Priest calls upon the people to pray and everybody, together with the Priest, observes a brief silence so
that they may become aware of being in God’s presence and may call to mind their intentions [our determination to act a certain
way]. The priest then “collects” these individual prayers with one spoken prayer.
 THE ORDER OF THE MASS & OUR RESPONSES
2. Liturgy of the Word

Take time during the week to read over and reflect upon the upcoming Sunday’s readings. The Word of
God needs an opportunity to exist in our minds where it will grow in strength and start to take root in our
hearts.
* First Reading: Comes form the Old Testament except for during the Easter Season when it comes from the Acts of the Apostles &
some special feasts when it comes from the Book of Revelation.
* Responsorial Psalm: The Psalms are sung and taken from the Old Testament. We respond with the
refrain when the cantor’s arm is raised (cue for us to respond).
*Second Reading (on Sundays and solemnities): Comes from the New Testament taken from the letters of
the apostles to the early Christian communities.

Response to the Biblical Readings

First and Second Reading (at Conclusion)
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
Assembly: Thanks be to God.
*Gospel Acclamation: At this time the gathering of the faithful welcomes and greets the Lord who is
about to speak to them in the Gospel and profess their faith by means of the chant. It is sung by
everybody, standing, and is led by the choir or a cantor.
Example: “Praise to
Assembly: Alleluia! Note that we do not sing/say “alleluia” during Lent. We sing other words of praise instead. you Lord Jesus Christ.
King of endless glory.”
*Gospel: A reading taken from the book of Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John from the New
Testament and proclaimed every three years. We use the Gospel of John during Easter.
Gospel (at Introduction)
Deacon, or Priest: The Lord be with you.
Assembly: And with your spirit.
Deacon, or Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to N (name of Gospel
writer).
Assembly: Glory to you, O Lord.
Gospel (at Conclusion)
Deacon, or Priest: The Gospel of the Lord.
Assembly: Praise to you Lord, Jesus Christ.
*Homily: At this time the Priest or Deacon take time to reflect on the readings of the Mass. They often help relate the
readings to how they apply to our own lives. Listen and meditate on their words. Often God takes this time to relate something
to you through a single phrase. Listen and be attentive.
*Profession of Faith (on Sundays, solemnities, and special occasions; on the Solemnity of the Nativity of the
Lord we kneel where “bow” is indicated.): This is where we proclaim our faith [what we believe in] as
individuals and as a united community.
Recite the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed (Nicene Creed or Apostle’s Creed)
(We recite the Creed in a Q/A format on Easter Sunday & at any Mass with a baptism. This is called the “Renewal of Baptismal
Promises”.)
*Universal Prayer: At this time we offer prayers to God for the salvation of all, so that petitions may be offered
for holy Church, for those who govern with authority over us, for those weighed down by various needs, for all
humanity, and for the salvation of the whole world.
*The Collection: Give generously because we have a real & present spiritual need to give. Each and every
Christian should diligently pray and seek God’s wisdom as to how much he or she should give (James 1:5). Giving
10% of your income back to God demonstrates your thankfulness to Him for what He has provided and helps you to
remember to rely on God instead of on riches. The Bible does not specifically say whether we should give 10% off
our gross or net income. Old Testament believers gave from the best of their crops, not the leftovers. The same
principle should apply to our giving today.
 THE ORDER OF THE MASS & OUR RESPONSES
3. Liturgy of the Eucharist

The Liturgy of the Eucharist is the “center & summit” of the entire celebration.
*Preparation of the Altar and Presentation of the Gifts: As the gifts are being brought forward and the priest
prepares the gifts, bring to mind all the aspects of your life that need healing or things that you are grateful for and
offer them to God. Mentally and spiritually place them all on the altar so that God can transform them. If there is no
song or instrumental music, the Priest may say the following prayers aloud.
Priest: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer to
you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life.
Assembly: Blessed be God forever.
Priest: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer to
you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink.
Assembly: Blessed be God forever.

*Invitation to Prayer
Priest: Pray, brethren [brothers and sisters], that my sacrifice and yours be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father.
Assembly: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the
good of all his holy Church.
*Prayer over the Offerings: Priest recites prayer. Prayer varies.
*Preface Dialogue
Priest: The Lord be with you.
Assembly: And with your spirit.
Priest: Lift up your hearts.
Assembly: We lift them up to the Lord.
Prefaces: A Prayer of praise & preparation that
Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
Assembly: It is right and just. sets the tone for the rest of the Eucharistic Prayer.

*Preface: Priest can recite any one of several prefaces.

*Preface Acclamation
Assembly: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
*Eucharistic Prayer (Beginning): Besides any one of the 4 Eucharistic Prayers or one of the 2 Eucharistic
Prayers for Reconciliation, the priest may proclaim one of the Eucharistic Prayer for Masses for various needs and
occasions or for Masses with Children. The word Eucharist means “thanksgiving”. The actual consecration [the bread
& wine become the Body & Blood of Christ] is the moment when the priest recited the words of Jesus over them:
“This is my body...do this in memory of me”. Allow yourself to be in the presence of God. Imagine yourself close to
Jesus.
*Mystery of Faith (formerly Memorial Acclamation)
Priest: The mystery of faith.
Assembly (A): We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come
again.
(or B): When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you
come again.
(or C): Save us, Savior of the world, for by your cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
*Eucharistic Prayer (Ending): Continuation of the Eucharistic prayer.
*Doxology (the Great Amen)
Priest: Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and
honor is yours, for ever and ever.
Assembly: Amen
 THE ORDER OF THE MASS & OUR RESPONSES
3. Liturgy of the Eucharist
Continuation Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be
thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be
done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us
Communion Rite this day our daily bread and forgive us our
Priest: At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching , we dare to say: trespasses, as we forgive those who
trespass against us and lead us not into
*The Lord’s Prayer temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
All: Recite the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father).
Priest: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help or your
mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we wait the blessed hope and the coming of
our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Assembly: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever. Amen.
*Sign of Peace: Here the priests asks God to grant us peace & unity. We are called share the peace and love of
Christ with those around us, not just at Mass but around the world, this is symbolic of our call to do this. As you
offer the sign of peace to those around you, be mindful that while they may look happy and seem worry free, we all
have some times of stress and hardship.
Priest: Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our
sins, but on the faith of Your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will.
Who live and reign for ever and ever.
Assembly: Amen.
Priest: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Assembly: And with your spirit.
Priest/Deacon: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
*Litany at the Fraction Rite (Lamb of God)
Assembly: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
*Invitation to Communion (Act of Humility)
Priest: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to
the supper of the Lamb.
Assembly: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall
be healed.
*Communion: As you approach the altar to receive Communion be mindful of what is about to take place, you
are receiving Christ. Remember to bow as a sign of reverence before receiving Communion.

Minister of Holy Communion: The Body of Christ.

Individual Response: Amen.
Minister of the Holy Communion: The Blood of Christ.
Individual Response: Amen.

*Communion Chant: During communion we sing psalms and other songs that express our
praise of the Father, our spiritual union in Christ, and our fellowship in the Holy Spirit.

*Prayer After Communion: After communion we spend some time in silent prayer and or sing a psalm or
song of praise. Thank God in your own words for all the blessings in your life, naming them specifically. Allow
your heart to fill and overflow with gratitude. Priest recites prayer. Prayer varies. This prayer is meant to
“collect” together all of our individual prayers.
 THE ORDER OF THE MASS & OUR RESPONSES
4. Concluding Rites

*Announcements
*Greeting
Priest: The Lord be with you.
Assembly: And with your spirit.
*Final Blessing: Bow your head, close your eyes, and allow the words of the final blessing to penetrate deep
within.
A.) Simple Blessing
Priest: May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Assembly: [make the sign of the cross] Amen.

B.) Solemn Blessing: We bow and respond Amen to each petition of the blessing.
Assembly: Amen.
C.) Prayer Over the People: We bow and respond Amen to each petition of the blessing.
Assembly: Amen.
D.) Pontifical Blessing: A Bishop may bless the people using the following dialogue.
Bishop: Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Assembly: Now and for ever.
Bishop: Our help is in the name of the Lord.
Assembly: Who made heaven and earth.
Bishop: May almighty God bless you,
the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Assembly: [make the sign of the cross] Amen.

*Dismissal (Sending): Remember that at the end of each Mass we are

sent to continue Jesus’ mission and to live our lives according to the will of
God.
Deacon, or Priest (A): Go forth, the Mass is ended.
(or B): Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.
(or C): Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
(or D): Go in peace.
Assembly: Thanks be to God.

When we walk into Mass, we simply ask God to show us how we can live up to what he created us to be. We gather
with the other members of our community to form the Mystical Body of Christ, his very presence. We listen to what
God is saying to us in the music, through the readings, and in the Homily. We must also truly listen to the prayers of
the Mass. Once God reveals the message He has in store for us, we spend the rest of the Mass praying about how we
can live that one thing in the coming week. As a community, we gather to give thanks to God and for all the blessings
he fills our lives with. We go to Mass to give ourselves to God, and in return, to receive Him, not only physically, but
spiritually.
The Mass takes its name from the final statement: Ite, missa est which is a Latin phrase that means “Go, you are
sent.” As you leave and return to your life outside the Church, think about how you might live out your Christian mis-
sion in the coming days, until the next time you come to spend time with Christ at Mass once again.
 SELECTED MASS PRAYERS AND RESPONSES IN LATIN WITH ENGLISH TRANSLATIONS
Agnus Dei (Litany at the Fraction Rite)
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi: miserére nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi: miserére nobis.
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccáta mundi: dona nobis
pacem.
Glória (Gloria)
Glória in excelsis Deo.
Et in terra pax homínibus bonae voluntátis.
Laudámus te, benedíctimus te, adorámus te, glorificámus te,
grátias ágimus tibi propter magnam glóriam tuam,
Dómine Deus, Rex caeléstis, Deus Pater omnípotetens.
Dómine Fili unigénite, Iesu Christe, Dómine Deus,
Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris,
qui tollis peccáta mundi, miserére nobis;
qui tollis peccáta mundi, súscipe deprecatiónem nostram.
Qui sedes ad déxteram Patris, miserére nobis.
Quóniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dóminus,
tu solus Altíssimus, Iesu Christe,
cum Sancto Spíritu, in gloria Dei Patris.
Amen .
Misterium Fidei (Mystery of Faith)
a) Mortem tuam annuntiámus, Dómine, et tuam
resurrectiónem confitémur, donec vénias.
or b) Quatioscúmque manduacámus panem hunc
et cálicem bíbimus, mortem tuam annutiámus,
Dómine,
donec vénias.
or c) Salvátor mundi, salva nos, qui per curcem
et resurrectiónem tuam liberásti nos.
Sanctus (Preface Acclamation)
Sanctus, Santus, Sanctus Dóminus Deus Sábaoth.
Pleni sunt caeli et terra glória tua.
Hosánna in excélis.
Benedictus qui venit in nómine Dómini.
Hosánna in excélsis.
Litany at the Fraction Rite
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.
Gloria
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King, O God, Almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.
You are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Mystery of Faith
a) We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess
your Resurrection until you come again.
or b) When we eat this Bread and drink this
Cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until
you come again.
Or c) Save us, Savior of the world, for by your
Cross and Resurrection, you have set us free.
Holy (Sanctus)
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the Name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.